Albania

SAFETY: good
The social and political situation is stable, although the population suffers from a slowly developing economy. Petty crime is rising slightly but remains at entirely normal levels. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are concentrated along the borders with Montenegro and Kosovo, where you should travel only on established roads and tracks.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: adequate
None of the secondary roads are surfaced, and even some of the surfaced roads are in poor condition. Domestic transport is also poor. North of the city of Shkodër a four-wheel-drive vehicle is essential. Rail services are almost non-existent. Domestic air links are limited but improving, while connections to Tirana from Rome, Milan, Bologna and Bari are excellent.

Main airports: Durrës, Tirana, Vlorë.

Main ports: Durrës, Sarandë, Shengjin, Vlorë.

ACCOMMODATION: fair

Capital is pouring into the hotel sector, which in recent years has been expanding and substantially upgrading what it offers.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Albania – Location: Balkans, south-eastern Europe. Borders: Montenegro to the north-west, Serbia to the north-east, Macedonia to the east, Greece to the south, the Adriatic and Ionian Seas to the west – Time zone: UTC +1, the same as Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 29,000 sq km – Capital: Tirana – Population: 3,600,000 – Religion: 70% Muslim, 20% Orthodox, 10% Catholic – Languages: Albanian (official language), Greek – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Albanian lek (ALL). It is not permitted to take out currency worth more than US$20,000 – Credit cards: the major cards are generally accepted – Exchange: bring euros, easy to exchange.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: two-pin and Schuko types, bring an adaptor.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad – Driving: Italian driving licence accompanied by an official Albanian translation – Car: most Italian insurance policies are not valid in the country, so short-term insurance must be taken out locally.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00355 – GSM: coverage across almost the entire country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 (as in Italy). Local operators: Albanian Mobile Communications and Vodafone Albania – Internet: available in the main cities – Web domain: .al – Emergency numbers: ambulance 127; police 129; traffic police 126.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: drug use and dealing are punishable by imprisonment. Sexual abuse and violence against minors are also severely punished with prison sentences. Repatriation is only possible once the final appeal has been heard. Homosexuality is legal, but a discreet attitude is nonetheless advisable, given that Albania is a predominantly Muslim country.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. Although in decline, cases of hepatitis, gastroenteritis, salmonella, tuberculosis and meningitis are recorded. Hygiene and sanitation are precarious because of open sewers, pollution of the water supply and difficulties with waste disposal. Public hospitals are very poorly equipped; private facilities are of a higher standard but cannot handle serious cases. Medicines are easy to find in the larger cities.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; 11 January, National Day; 1 May, Labour Day; 28 November, Independence Day; 29 November, Liberation Day; 25 December, Christmas Day; Islamic festivals.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Sat 7.00-14.00, Mon-Tue 17.00-20.00 – Banks: Mon-Sat 7.00-14.00, Mon-Tue 17.00-20.00 – Shops: daily 9.00-13.00 and 16.00-20.00.

CLIMATE: typically Mediterranean along the coast, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Inland, a continental climate prevails, with marked swings in temperature.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy and Consulate of Albania
Via Asmara 5 – 00199 Rome
Tel. 06 8622411 (consular section 06 86224130)
Fax 06 86224120 (consular section 06 86216005)
E-mail: embassy.rome@mfa.gov.al

Consulates General

Corso Vittorio Emanuele 171 – 70122 Bari
Tel. 080 5727647/5289728 – Fax 080 5283335 – E-mail: consulate.bari@mfa.gov.al

Piazza Duomo 17 – 20127 Milan
Tel. 02 86995396/86467423 – Fax 02 86995396 – E-mail: consulate.milan@mfa.gov.al

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ALBANIA

Italian Embassy
Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II, 2
ZIP 1010 Tiranë
Tel. 00355 4 2275900
Fax 00355 4 2250921
E-mail: segramb.tirana@esteri.it
E-mail: cancelleriaconsolare.tirana@esteri.it
ambtirana.esteri.it

Consulate General
Rr. Ismet Cakerri, 45
Vlorë
Tel. 00355 33 225705/7
Fax 00355 33 225706/9
E-mail: consolato.valona@esteri.it